Takayuki Ishida has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) by automotive giant, Nissan Motors, for its Indian subdivision Nissan Motor India Private Limited (NMIPL). At Nissan Motor Company based in Japan, Takayuki was working as a General Manager, India before his recent promotion. He succeeded Kiminobu Tokuyama, who is flying back to Japan, where he will hold an executive position in Yorozu Corporation, the renowned automobile component supplier of Nissan.
Nissan's steady growth in India will now be managed by the new chief, Ishida. Apart from the establishment and development of the company's sales and distribution channel, introduction of new products in the country will be one of the responsibilities of the new MD. Takayuki has been appointed at the time when the company is planning to resurrect the heritage Datsun brand in developing markets of India, Russia and Indonesia.
Under the Datsun brand, Nissan India is looking ahead to develop a series of small cars in the range of Rs. 2 lacs to Rs. 4 lacs to attain higher growth. The first car from the brand is expected to roll out by the end of FY 2014.
Nissan India has high expectations from its Datsun brand and expects it to generate more than 50 per cent total sales in the country, after being launched. Hatchback Micra, Sunny in sedan segment and Evalia, a Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) from Nissan will contribute towards the remaining sales.
Since the Japanese company is looking at increase exports from Indian subcontinent, Takayuki Ishida appointment in the country can prove beneficial. In the near future, India will emerge as the largest export hub of Nissan. More than 1,00,000 cars were exported during 2011 by Nissan from its Chennai plant to become 3rd largest automobile exporter in India.
